Hi ladies!

Kim- the tactile quilt is really a great idea. Hayden will love it. I wish I cld sew better so I cld do similar projects. its quite amazing to see how these little babies really get into the touching and exploring stage, isn't it? I like to joke with Hubby that its like watching someone make fire for the first time. I hope things with DH are better lately? Gosh, money is always a stress, i hear u abt that. We are basically living on my measly income and whatever contract work DH can squeeze in when he's not caring for Willa. So hard to pay back credit card debt and make home loan repayments and buy all our neccessities. I dunno abt u but sometimes I go to bed thinking how we r going to afford stuff, or pay of debts, etc etc. But ultimately i think its good to remind ourselves to take things very slowly when it comes to finances with a baby around. Esp. if both u guys were working b4 Hayden came along. Despite the hardship remind urself that u both have a gorgeous healthy little boy and looking after him makes other concerns secondary for the time being.

Rhi - aren't those fat rolls funny? So much gunk gets in there. The worst is under their chins (multiple chins in WIlla's case). I had a look under there last night to clean and eww it was like bits of dough, i felt so bad for not being more diligent in getting into that area more often. Sounds like u had a great conception period and early pregnancy. I too was worried about all the drinking I did when I didn't realise I was carrying Willa early on, but so far she seems none the worse for wear. Lol about the baby being Spanish of Taiwanese. Does Milla look more like u or your hubby? You know what they say abt babies always starting out more like their daddies - its so the daddies won't eat them

ALi- hope the tests give u some answers. Pls keep us posted. And congrats on the new car!!

Becca - WHat age can babies usually start swimming lessons? I'm interested in doing that too.

Sara - oh, hope the surgery wasn't too bad for Briley then?! Good to hear Colby is doing great.

Feels like ages since i've posted. I've gone back to work this week (mon, wed & thurs) so have been pretty busy and tired. Was abt to take WiIllz down to the park to partake in the magic yellow school bus that comes 'round but she started screaming bloody murder after a pooey diaper and so it was off to bed for her nap. *Sigh* was really looking forward to seeing if any of the mothers' group ladies were down there for a bit of mummy socializing. PLus, its so nice and cool outside this morning.

Well our car went and broke down on our way to yum cha week b4 last. In the middle of full speed on the high way!! OMG I was soooo worried with Willa in her capsule and kept glancing behind us to check if anyone was failing to slow down in time. There was no road shoulder and no exit for ages and we cld only crawl at 20km/h stuck in 1st gear with hazards on and every man and his dog beeping their horn at us. Let me tell u, trying to change lanes to get to the left lane at 20km is SCARY when everyone else is going 80 to 100km. DH did an amazing job. I said a little prayer when we finally got to our destination. Ended up going to yum cha after all for a well deserved feed and having MIL pick me and the baby up later while DH drove the car home all the way again at 20km. He took the back roads this time but I was still very worried.

The other thing is that I'm feeling very guilty now abt giving Willa formula. I know its whatever works best for mum and bub and so long as bub is healthy, happy and thriving, that's all that matters, but I can't help it. I myself was a formula fed baby and so far so good at 28! I was fine with it b4 but everytime I come across another baby that is happily breast fed at 6 months plus or something, I feel guilty. I feel selfish for not making more of an effort. My supply is still dodgy, she still fights the breast and only ever has the L side now and I'm finding it very fiddly pumping at work. So yeah, still breastfeeding but by no means exclusively. I think i need to get over myself as I know she's was a good weight b4 starting formula and still is a good weight now. No other dramas *touch wood* so I should be thankful for our good fortune when not every feeding relationship, be it breast or bottle works out without a hitch.

ok, off to do some much needed cleaning! I wish we were all in the same state and were able to meet up in person occasionally. Lucky KIm for being able to meet Scone and Jensen!

sonia